Gravedigger Quest
- Thread starter Renu
- Start date
- Original Fantasy
- Location
- Leeds
When they come for us and ask where we hid our victims our response will some variation of this.
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Ok, I'll lock the votes now.
Lirra the changeling who wants friends won.
Inserted tally
Lirra the changeling who wants friends won.
Inserted tally
But what do we look like? Down with the hood!
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] You were born a changeling in Emoulin
[X] Honestly, you just want friends
[X] Girl
[X] Lirra
--------------------
Lirra reached up to her hood to make sure it was still covering her face as she moved alongside the human (and other) tide coming out of the many ships docked on Merek'Norr's ship landing. This… was a lot of people. More than she ever saw at once, even though she had to pass through Emoulin's capital city of Lordenaux as she made her way to the port where her ship - no, her destiny, if she allowed herself to be somewhat melodramatic - waited.
Still, she never saw such a crowd, and what a crowd it was! Getting on the tip of her toes, she could see among the human sea people coming from all horizons. Lirra's eyes widened in awe as an Amessan steelship docked, its great sails folding and retracting as a ramp emerged from its iron belly. From it came yet more people, these ones garbed in the reinforced yet colorful leather that was the fashion of this nation. Almost all of them sported some strange mechanism at some point of their body, whose use Lirra could only guess at.
She wasn't the only one staring, she realized, when from behind her came a rough laugh. She turned in its direction before quickly looking back to where she started : away from the Svartfald crew who seemed to be weighing each of the coming ships with rapacious eyes, no doubt judging whether or not it was worth it to arrange an "accident" on their way back. These fur clad savages had a most ill reputation in Emoulin, as many merchants and travelers simply disappeared when they ventured north. Truly, they were only a step removed from the creatures of dark, and no knight would hesitate to cut them down where they stood! Still… given the Gravedigger's own reputation, maybe she shouldn't be so quick to judge? Maybe they were just misunderstood and if she started a conversation, she would make her first friend, Lirra thought, a determined smile on her lips. That is, until her eyes fell to the enormous battle axe one of them was sporting.
'No no no no scary scary scary! That thing could cut me in two! By the Lake, it's almost as tall as me, forget cut in two, I would simply disappear!'
Silently panicking, she hurriedly pressed herself against the crowd in the hopes that things would move along a bit more swiftly, only to fall on her butt as she hit something hard. To her dismay, her hood fell back little, revealing
[] [horns] part of the leaved antlers that crowned her head.
[] [horns] the two small horns that emerged at the top of her forehead.
[] [horns] the lichen-covered ram-like horns that started from behind her ears.
[] [horns] the very start of the straight horns that emerged from her temples and went to the back of her head.
Yet, as she was panicking, her eyes fell on a strange hand that was held out to her. Despite the fact that it moved like a normal limb, it looked as if it was carved from sandstone and was covered in thin sigils that sometimes lit up in what looked like a random pattern. Going up, she saw it belonged to a dark skinned man who was waiting for her to grab it with a roguish smile on his face.
Well, if part of his body's made of stone, it made sense that she fell when she hit him, she supposed. Then, in a panic, she grabbed to it and unsteadily got back to her feet, her cheeks reddening in embarrassment. As she finished gathered her courage to say her thanks and apologize, however, the man had already turned away and he quickly lost her in the crowd, walking unimpeded despite the sheer density of people, as if a fish in a sea.
After standing dejected while muttering a sad "Thank you..." Lirra placed her hood back in place before she suddenly realised that the boy hadn't reacted to her horns. They were a clear sign of her nature as a changeling and, back in Emoulin, would have had the boy running away in terror or standing still in deference or… whatever combination of the mix of fear and respect (and loathing) her kind evoked. Which meant she could finally have friends! Actual friends! Not friends who ran away when she brought them a gift because she heard it was their birthday because "everyone knows not to take a gift from the fae, for their strings are as solid as they are insidious".
However, her joy was short-lived, as she soon remembered what else was hidden by her hood: her ashen hair, the mark of a Gravekeeper. The boy hadn't seen it, or had confused it for another color in the shadow of her hood. No doubt he'd have reacted like the rest if he saw that. They may not have changelings from where he came, but Keepers of Gray are spread across the world. Just as they are reviled.
It was with her mood back to the dark thought that had accompanied on her journey up until she set foot on the island that she continued to march forward with the rest of the crowd, until the human sea parted itself in four lines.
Curious as to why it happened, Lirra once again stood on her toes to try and look above the crowd, and what she saw almost chased away her pessimism by sheer awe: four humongous gates were presented to the crowd, each massive enough to allow an army to pass through, and each masterfully carved by artisans from ages past.
On top of each were the symbols that all aspirants adventurer knew: a sword, a star, a cloak and a staff, each placed alone in the center of an array of sculptures depicting the parangons they represented. A powerful warrior and a valiant knight, banishing the darkness with a cleave from their sword. A mysterious wizard and an almighty archmage, conjuring the stars themselves to fall on the dark. A cunning rogue and a charismatic bard, ruining the dark's plots, unseen from their enemies yet inspiring their allies. And finally, a kind cleric and a patient druid, mending hearts and bones so that the light could always endure.
By crossing one of these gates, she would become a student of Merek'Norr, an aspiring hero. By crossing one of these gates, she would find a group she could be part of, a group that would accept her.
By crossing one of these gates, she could finally find friends.
-----------------------------
[] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Sword. She felt particularly tiny and frail among the burly fighters there, but she knew it was her place. She would find hardy, genuine companions there, and fight bravely at their side. Honor is all. Chivalry is all.
[] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Star. She felt a bit under-learned among the all the book carrying students there, but she knew it was her place. She would find calm, thoughtful companions there, and unveil the mystery of the arcane at their side. Knowledge is all. Power is all.
[] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Cloak. She felt inadequate, knowing that the fae blood that was excited at the coming mischief would also stop her from saying even the slightest lie, but she knew it was her place. She would find cunning, charismatic companions there, and trick the foolish at their side. Guile is all. Shadow is all.
[] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Staff. She felt dirty compared to those who knew of the healing arts, as she only knew of death, but she knew it was her place. She would find kind and understanding companions here, and bring some hope back to those who suffer. Life is all. Empathy is all.
[] [gate] She stood frozen in place, as she knew she was no hero, only the one who buried them. Life is fleeting. Death comes to all.
Of course, this is only her opinion. You imagine that a Svartfald raider obviously wouldn't think "Honor is all, chivalry is all" when presented with the force, but rather something like "Victory is all. Glory is all." and probably wouldn't fit your vision of what a knight should be.
And the last one obviously is the special snowflake vote.
Votes will be counted by task this time, don't forget the horns.
[X] Honestly, you just want friends
[X] Girl
[X] Lirra
--------------------
Lirra reached up to her hood to make sure it was still covering her face as she moved alongside the human (and other) tide coming out of the many ships docked on Merek'Norr's ship landing. This… was a lot of people. More than she ever saw at once, even though she had to pass through Emoulin's capital city of Lordenaux as she made her way to the port where her ship - no, her destiny, if she allowed herself to be somewhat melodramatic - waited.
Still, she never saw such a crowd, and what a crowd it was! Getting on the tip of her toes, she could see among the human sea people coming from all horizons. Lirra's eyes widened in awe as an Amessan steelship docked, its great sails folding and retracting as a ramp emerged from its iron belly. From it came yet more people, these ones garbed in the reinforced yet colorful leather that was the fashion of this nation. Almost all of them sported some strange mechanism at some point of their body, whose use Lirra could only guess at.
She wasn't the only one staring, she realized, when from behind her came a rough laugh. She turned in its direction before quickly looking back to where she started : away from the Svartfald crew who seemed to be weighing each of the coming ships with rapacious eyes, no doubt judging whether or not it was worth it to arrange an "accident" on their way back. These fur clad savages had a most ill reputation in Emoulin, as many merchants and travelers simply disappeared when they ventured north. Truly, they were only a step removed from the creatures of dark, and no knight would hesitate to cut them down where they stood! Still… given the Gravedigger's own reputation, maybe she shouldn't be so quick to judge? Maybe they were just misunderstood and if she started a conversation, she would make her first friend, Lirra thought, a determined smile on her lips. That is, until her eyes fell to the enormous battle axe one of them was sporting.
'No no no no scary scary scary! That thing could cut me in two! By the Lake, it's almost as tall as me, forget cut in two, I would simply disappear!'
Silently panicking, she hurriedly pressed herself against the crowd in the hopes that things would move along a bit more swiftly, only to fall on her butt as she hit something hard. To her dismay, her hood fell back little, revealing
[] [horns] part of the leaved antlers that crowned her head.
[] [horns] the two small horns that emerged at the top of her forehead.
[] [horns] the lichen-covered ram-like horns that started from behind her ears.
[] [horns] the very start of the straight horns that emerged from her temples and went to the back of her head.
Yet, as she was panicking, her eyes fell on a strange hand that was held out to her. Despite the fact that it moved like a normal limb, it looked as if it was carved from sandstone and was covered in thin sigils that sometimes lit up in what looked like a random pattern. Going up, she saw it belonged to a dark skinned man who was waiting for her to grab it with a roguish smile on his face.
Well, if part of his body's made of stone, it made sense that she fell when she hit him, she supposed. Then, in a panic, she grabbed to it and unsteadily got back to her feet, her cheeks reddening in embarrassment. As she finished gathered her courage to say her thanks and apologize, however, the man had already turned away and he quickly lost her in the crowd, walking unimpeded despite the sheer density of people, as if a fish in a sea.
After standing dejected while muttering a sad "Thank you..." Lirra placed her hood back in place before she suddenly realised that the boy hadn't reacted to her horns. They were a clear sign of her nature as a changeling and, back in Emoulin, would have had the boy running away in terror or standing still in deference or… whatever combination of the mix of fear and respect (and loathing) her kind evoked. Which meant she could finally have friends! Actual friends! Not friends who ran away when she brought them a gift because she heard it was their birthday because "everyone knows not to take a gift from the fae, for their strings are as solid as they are insidious".
However, her joy was short-lived, as she soon remembered what else was hidden by her hood: her ashen hair, the mark of a Gravekeeper. The boy hadn't seen it, or had confused it for another color in the shadow of her hood. No doubt he'd have reacted like the rest if he saw that. They may not have changelings from where he came, but Keepers of Gray are spread across the world. Just as they are reviled.
It was with her mood back to the dark thought that had accompanied on her journey up until she set foot on the island that she continued to march forward with the rest of the crowd, until the human sea parted itself in four lines.
Curious as to why it happened, Lirra once again stood on her toes to try and look above the crowd, and what she saw almost chased away her pessimism by sheer awe: four humongous gates were presented to the crowd, each massive enough to allow an army to pass through, and each masterfully carved by artisans from ages past.
On top of each were the symbols that all aspirants adventurer knew: a sword, a star, a cloak and a staff, each placed alone in the center of an array of sculptures depicting the parangons they represented. A powerful warrior and a valiant knight, banishing the darkness with a cleave from their sword. A mysterious wizard and an almighty archmage, conjuring the stars themselves to fall on the dark. A cunning rogue and a charismatic bard, ruining the dark's plots, unseen from their enemies yet inspiring their allies. And finally, a kind cleric and a patient druid, mending hearts and bones so that the light could always endure.
By crossing one of these gates, she would become a student of Merek'Norr, an aspiring hero. By crossing one of these gates, she would find a group she could be part of, a group that would accept her.
By crossing one of these gates, she could finally find friends.
-----------------------------
[] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Sword. She felt particularly tiny and frail among the burly fighters there, but she knew it was her place. She would find hardy, genuine companions there, and fight bravely at their side. Honor is all. Chivalry is all.
[] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Star. She felt a bit under-learned among the all the book carrying students there, but she knew it was her place. She would find calm, thoughtful companions there, and unveil the mystery of the arcane at their side. Knowledge is all. Power is all.
[] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Cloak. She felt inadequate, knowing that the fae blood that was excited at the coming mischief would also stop her from saying even the slightest lie, but she knew it was her place. She would find cunning, charismatic companions there, and trick the foolish at their side. Guile is all. Shadow is all.
[] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Staff. She felt dirty compared to those who knew of the healing arts, as she only knew of death, but she knew it was her place. She would find kind and understanding companions here, and bring some hope back to those who suffer. Life is all. Empathy is all.
[] [gate] She stood frozen in place, as she knew she was no hero, only the one who buried them. Life is fleeting. Death comes to all.
Of course, this is only her opinion. You imagine that a Svartfald raider obviously wouldn't think "Honor is all, chivalry is all" when presented with the force, but rather something like "Victory is all. Glory is all." and probably wouldn't fit your vision of what a knight should be.
And the last one obviously is the special snowflake vote.
Votes will be counted by task this time, don't forget the horns.
Last edited:
UrsaTempest
Don't Panic!
[X] [horns] part of the leaved antlers that crowned her head.
[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Sword. She felt particularly tiny and frail among the burly fighters there, but she knew it was her place. She would find hardy, genuine companions there, and fight bravely at their side. Honor is all. Chivalry is all.
[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Sword. She felt particularly tiny and frail among the burly fighters there, but she knew it was her place. She would find hardy, genuine companions there, and fight bravely at their side. Honor is all. Chivalry is all.
- Location
- Somewhere!
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] [horns] the lichen-covered ram-like horns that started from behind her ears.
[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Cloak. She felt inadequate, knowing that the fae blood that was excited at the coming mischief would also stop her from saying even the slightest lie, but she knew it was her place. She would find cunning, charismatic companions there, and trick the foolish at their side. Guile is all. Shadow is all.
Curved goat horns are cutest.
[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Cloak. She felt inadequate, knowing that the fae blood that was excited at the coming mischief would also stop her from saying even the slightest lie, but she knew it was her place. She would find cunning, charismatic companions there, and trick the foolish at their side. Guile is all. Shadow is all.
Curved goat horns are cutest.
- Location
- St. Petersburg
[x] [horns] part of the leaved antlers that crowned her head.
[x] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Cloak. She felt inadequate, knowing that the fae blood that was excited at the coming mischief would also stop her from saying even the slightest lie, but she knew it was her place. She would find cunning, charismatic companions there, and trick the foolish at their side. Guile is all. Shadow is all.
[x] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Cloak. She felt inadequate, knowing that the fae blood that was excited at the coming mischief would also stop her from saying even the slightest lie, but she knew it was her place. She would find cunning, charismatic companions there, and trick the foolish at their side. Guile is all. Shadow is all.
UrsaTempest
Don't Panic!
Eh, I just feel like doing something straightforward, you know? "Pointy end goes there." Hence, knight.
DeepWaters
No one will be the wiser.
- Location
- Land of Spiders and Shipping Charts
[X] [horns] the lichen-covered ram-like horns that started from behind her ears.
[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Staff. She felt dirty compared to those who knew of the healing arts, as she only knew of death, but she knew it was her place. She would find kind and understanding companions here, and bring some hope back to those who suffer. Life is all. Empathy is all.
Lirra will do everything she can to avert death, and in the event that she fails... well, there is no one better equipped to help someone pass. Likely she'll encounter a lot of prejudice and blame, but this seems most thematically fitting.
[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Staff. She felt dirty compared to those who knew of the healing arts, as she only knew of death, but she knew it was her place. She would find kind and understanding companions here, and bring some hope back to those who suffer. Life is all. Empathy is all.
Lirra will do everything she can to avert death, and in the event that she fails... well, there is no one better equipped to help someone pass. Likely she'll encounter a lot of prejudice and blame, but this seems most thematically fitting.
- Location
- Brazil
[X] [horns] the lichen-covered ram-like horns that started from behind her ears.
[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Staff. She felt dirty compared to those who knew of the healing arts, as she only knew of death, but she knew it was her place. She would find kind and understanding companions here, and bring some hope back to those who suffer. Life is all. Empathy is all.
[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Staff. She felt dirty compared to those who knew of the healing arts, as she only knew of death, but she knew it was her place. She would find kind and understanding companions here, and bring some hope back to those who suffer. Life is all. Empathy is all.
Demojay
Yes, let's put an end to this
- Location
- UK
[X] [horns] the lichen-covered ram-like horns that started from behind her ears.
[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Staff. She felt dirty compared to those who knew of the healing arts, as she only knew of death, but she knew it was her place. She would find kind and understanding companions here, and bring some hope back to those who suffer. Life is all. Empathy is all.
[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Staff. She felt dirty compared to those who knew of the healing arts, as she only knew of death, but she knew it was her place. She would find kind and understanding companions here, and bring some hope back to those who suffer. Life is all. Empathy is all.
NuclearConsensus
Herald of the Thorned One
- Location
- the Philippines
[X] [horns] part of the leaved antlers that crowned her head.
[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Staff. She felt dirty compared to those who knew of the healing arts, as she only knew of death, but she knew it was her place. She would find kind and understanding companions here, and bring some hope back to those who suffer. Life is all. Empathy is all.
[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Staff. She felt dirty compared to those who knew of the healing arts, as she only knew of death, but she knew it was her place. She would find kind and understanding companions here, and bring some hope back to those who suffer. Life is all. Empathy is all.
[X] [horns] the lichen-covered ram-like horns that started from behind her ears.
[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Staff. She felt dirty compared to those who knew of the healing arts, as she only knew of death, but she knew it was her place. She would find kind and understanding companions here, and bring some hope back to those who suffer. Life is all. Empathy is all.
[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Staff. She felt dirty compared to those who knew of the healing arts, as she only knew of death, but she knew it was her place. She would find kind and understanding companions here, and bring some hope back to those who suffer. Life is all. Empathy is all.
[X] [horns] part of the leaved antlers that crowned her head.
[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Staff. She felt dirty compared to those who knew of the healing arts, as she only knew of death, but she knew it was her place. She would find kind and understanding companions here, and bring some hope back to those who suffer. Life is all. Empathy is all.
[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Staff. She felt dirty compared to those who knew of the healing arts, as she only knew of death, but she knew it was her place. She would find kind and understanding companions here, and bring some hope back to those who suffer. Life is all. Empathy is all.
- Location
- scrabbling
[X] [horns] part of the leaved antlers that crowned her head.
[X] [gate] She stood frozen in place, as she knew she was no hero, only the one who buried them. Life is fleeting. Death comes to all.
Protagonist bait/mystery box.
I honestly just want to know what would happen if Lirra is so paralysed by the decision.
[X] [gate] She stood frozen in place, as she knew she was no hero, only the one who buried them. Life is fleeting. Death comes to all.
Protagonist bait/mystery box.
I honestly just want to know what would happen if Lirra is so paralysed by the decision.
LucidProp
Pocky Eating MafiaDoka
[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Sword. She felt particularly tiny and frail among the burly fighters there, but she knew it was her place. She would find hardy, genuine companions there, and fight bravely at their side. Honor is all. Chivalry is all.
CHIVALRY TRAIN COMING THROUGH!
CHIVALRY TRAIN COMING THROUGH!
- Location
- AB, Canada
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] [horns] the very start of the straight horns that emerged from her temples and went to the back of her head.
These kind of remind me of an oryx. Even if it's not the same, that's reason enough for me!
[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Sword. She felt particularly tiny and frail among the burly fighters there, but she knew it was her place. She would find hardy, genuine companions there, and fight bravely at their side. Honor is all. Chivalry is all.
Yeah, I feel like going for something simple and straightforward. Let's just be a hero!
These kind of remind me of an oryx. Even if it's not the same, that's reason enough for me!
[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Sword. She felt particularly tiny and frail among the burly fighters there, but she knew it was her place. She would find hardy, genuine companions there, and fight bravely at their side. Honor is all. Chivalry is all.
Yeah, I feel like going for something simple and straightforward. Let's just be a hero!
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Pretty much, just a bit shorter and closer to the head (or else you have the most magical hood ever to be able to cover them =P).
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Inserted tally
There's currently a tie between ram and antlers, but gate-wise, the staff is winning.
I'll lock the votes tomorrow, I guess.
As always, if you have questions about things, don't hesitate (also if there's something you want but aren't sure what would do it (like "I want to be a ranger, is it sword or cloak?", to which I would answer "eeeeeeh... damn it."))
There's currently a tie between ram and antlers, but gate-wise, the staff is winning.
I'll lock the votes tomorrow, I guess.
As always, if you have questions about things, don't hesitate (also if there's something you want but aren't sure what would do it (like "I want to be a ranger, is it sword or cloak?", to which I would answer "eeeeeeh... damn it."))
Last edited:
- Location
- Everywhere, Anywhere, Nowhere.
[X] [horns] part of the leaved antlers that crowned her head.
[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Sword. She felt particularly tiny and frail among the burly fighters there, but she knew it was her place. She would find hardy, genuine companions there, and fight bravely at their side. Honor is all. Chivalry is all.
[X] [gate] She waited to pass the Gate of the Sword. She felt particularly tiny and frail among the burly fighters there, but she knew it was her place. She would find hardy, genuine companions there, and fight bravely at their side. Honor is all. Chivalry is all.
- Pronouns
- They/Them
So, question: what sorta magic is involved in 'Know of Death.'
Trying to choose whether to go Sword or Staff.
Trying to choose whether to go Sword or Staff.